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The first consequence of evil, when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, was a sense of guilt and separation from God. In the Old Testament God instituted an animal sacrifice ritual to atone for the guilt of the people. This was a temporary remedy pointing to the coming of Christ.

The Bible teaches us that sin results in death.”The wages of sin is death….” (Romans 6:23). The ordinance of sacrifice was instituted as a reminder that there was a great price to pay for sin, but the blood of goats and lambs could not take away sin indefinitely.

With the coming of Christ, animal sacrifices for sin were done away with. Jesus, God’s Son, born of a virgin and without sin, died and rose from the dead. He was the, “spotless lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).

Because Christ was without sin, death could not overpower him and keep him in the grave. Similarly, everyone who believes in him and accepts his gift of “salvation” from sin will experience the resurrection power of Christ. They will live with him for eternity.

This gift of salvation and eternal life is offered to everyone. However, people do not automatically receive forgiveness of sins. We must acknowledge Christ as our “Saviour.”

It is really very simple, but surprisingly difficult at the same time. The reason is that it is not just a matter of praying a prayer asking for forgiveness. If you believe that Christ is the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world, it follows that accepting his forgiveness also means you are committed to his kingship in your life. The Son of God deserves no less than our surrender and worship.

The prayer of acceptance of salvation and commitment to Christ may go something like this,

“Heavenly Father, I believe that Jesus died and was raised from the dead. His life was sacrificed for the sins of the world. I ask you to forgive my sins, in Jesus’ name. I give my life to you. I invite your presence to indwell me and empower me to live for you. Amen.”

When you have prayed this prayer you will want to tell someone about it and you will also want to find a group of people who have come to a similar faith. You may encounter resistance from those who do not believe. This is not uncommon. There are many groups of believers, some meeting in churches, some in homes, some in schools or other facilities.

If you do not find a group of believers immediately, you can still have a growing relationship with God by praying, talking to him daily about all aspects of your life, and by reading his word, the Bible. I encourage you to start reading the New Testament, that is the second section of the Bible. It is easier to understand and more relevant for daily living. It also begins with accounts of the life of Christ.

Our conscience is that voice inside us that convicts us when we do something wrong, like tell a lie or hurt another person. For those who believe in evolution, I think the conscience is a bit difficult to explain. It is not an organ that developed over time. The strange thing about our conscience is that it is clearly in tune with the morals expressed in the Bible.

Can the conscience be trained? Or untrained? Persistent disobedience will decrease the sensitivity of the conscience. When someone has no remorse after committing a hideous crime, we question their mental wellness. We lock them up to prevent them from re-offending. They are a threat to society.

When a person decides that Jesus is truly who he claimed to be–God’s son who has the power to forgive sins–and asks to be forgiven of his sins, choosing to live in obedience to Christ, that person will experience a change. This change is so remarkable it has been compared to a new birth. The conscience that was guilt-ridden is suddenly free of this miserable condition. The fear of punishment and condemnation is gone.

In Hebrew 13 the writer asks for prayer for a clear conscience and the ability to “act honourably in all things.” After experiencing forgiveness there is a renewed sensitivity to those things which bring guilt and shame. It becomes our goal to “act honourably in all things” to avoid returning to our former condition.

A clear conscience is a coveted state of peace with God, available to all who desire it. In fact, God is willing to help us maintain a clear conscience. He will “equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ” (v. 21).